An organization pursuing CPI should embrace all applicable concepts, tools, techniques, and methodologies that will drive it toward better attainment of enterprise objectives. While no organization is likely to (or needs to) master every improvement technique, the objective is to seek out the best means available to effectively address challenges to continuous im- provement. There are key tools, concepts and techniques that have evolved to support an or- ganization in its continuous improvement journey.

There will no doubt be additional tools and techniques created through human ingenuity to re- spond to difficulties which process owners have not yet faced. An unfortunately common error is to become overly focused on a single methodology or tradition to the exclusion of others. At- tempting to apply the same tool or technique to every problem will inevitably result in some sub- optimization or possibly failures. A more holistic approach defines each problem carefully and applies the appropriate improvement tool or technique.

This attachment briefly describes the evolution of continuous improvement as an organiza- tional imperative, and then identifies a sampling of the more common tools, concepts and techniques currently available to drive CPI. There are numerous detailed publications on specific continuous improvement techniques so their discussion is limited in number and scope within this guidebook. Following that, helpful documentation guides and checklists are provided. Additional insight and knowledge can be gained from the resources identified in Attachment A.

The Evolution of Continuous Improvement

Just-In-Time

Just-In-Time (JIT) was pioneered at Toyota in the 1950s. JIT is a philosophy of continuous improvement with a set of concepts and techniques geared to better meet the needs of cus- tomers through elimination of waste that negatively impacts process flows and the value- added component of any product or service. JIT is thought to originate in Japanese study of American grocery stores replenishment processes where meeting customer changing de- mands and spoilage challenges have to be carefully balanced. JIT was originally focused on production shop floor improvement and gradually expanded to focus on a variety of staff functions.

Lean

Lean is the evolution of JIT over the past decade leading into the 21st century. Several lean refinements include value stream mapping and refined continuous improvement application

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to any type of organization generating a product or service. Lean is a mindset that drives in- dividual behavior and ultimately culture change. In Lean organizations,

waste is highlighted as it is encountered,

waste is relentlessly attacked using a variety of simple and effective tools,

the environment challenges employees to expand their capabilities and creativity,

leaders challenge traditional processing conventions and metrics,

the ability to respond to the customer is quicker, with higher quality products and ser- vices at lower cost, and

everyone listens intently to the voice of its customers in providing new and improved products and services, striving for continuous quality, cycle time, and cost improvements.

Continuous Process Improvement (CPI)

CPI for the purposes of the DoD Enterprise is the evolution of JIT, lean, and other best practices to support cost effective readiness support to the warfighter. CPI contains a toolbox with an open archi- tecture that welcomes any effective combination of continuous improvement tools and techniques. These combinations may or may not be organized to be pulled out to achieve specific objectives. All remain at the immediate access to the CPI practitioner. An example of the components of a typical toolbox might include elements of Lean, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and Six Sigma (6). No sin- gle set of components in a toolbox is ideal to fully drive CPI under all circumstances.

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CPI Toolbox

Tools, Concepts, and Techniques

Cellular Processing

Cellular flow as a technique consists of grouping nodes in a supply chain, people and machines dedicated to production or repair operations, and service activities so that a process can advance from one step to the next without waiting for a batching to be completed. Opportunities for con- tinuous improvement have increased visibility in a cellular flow environment (see Figure E-1). Cells and flow are set up to make it easy to see the work flow, the operational

A cell utilizes minimal time, space, and materials to get the job completed. This is by design to minimize travel distances as well as allow for ease of movement of material from step to step.

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Figure 1. Notional Cellular Flow

DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control)

DMAIC is an ordered problem-solving methodology applied widely in private and public sector organizations. The letters are an acronym for the five phases of Six Sigma improvement. These phases direct a process improvement team logically from problem definition to implementing solutions that are linked to root causes. The methodology also focuses on establishing best prac- tices to help ensure the improvement solutions stay in place. DMAIC is typically implemented through two primary modes in Six Sigma improvement efforts, the project team approachwhich normally involves full time deployment of key team members for 1 to 4 months or the kaizen approachwhich stresses rapid, intense progress through all DMAIC stages except full-scale im- plementation.

Error Proofing (Poka Yoke)

Finding and correcting defects caused by errors costs more and more as a system or component flows through a process. To prevent this expense industrial sites have long been placing a great deal of attention on the concept of error-proofing. Shigeo Shingo introduced the concept of Poka-Yoke at Toyota Motor Corporation. Poka Yoke (pronounced poh-kah yoh-kay) translates to avoid unintentional errors.

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The heart of error proofing is simply to pay careful attention to every activity in the process and to place checks and problem prevention at each step. It is a matter of constant, instantaneous feedback that is implemented by using simple objects like warning devices to make common mistakes virtually impossible. These devices have the following characteristics:

1. User-friendly

2. Simple to install

3. Do not require continuous attention from the employee (ideally, it should work even if the employee is not aware of it)

4. Low-cost

5. Provides instantaneous feedback, prevention, or correction

Error proofing is designed to prevent mistakes, not merely catch them. Mechanisms such as limit switches, optical inspection systems, guide pins, or automatic shutoffs are common error-proofing strategies. These devices can be electrical, mechanical, procedural, visual, human, or any other form that prevents incorrect execution of a process step. They can be implemented in areas other than pro- duction such as logistics, procurement, information systems, maintenance and service, or product development, where the cost of mistakes can be as much as in industrial operations.

Kanban

Kanban is a signal that is sent from a costumer to a supplier within an organizations internal op- erations and/or throughout an entire supply chain to link a customers demands to the entire sup- plier chain for quick replenishment. The concept of Kanban has been extended beyond the original card concept to include other forms of triggering signals. The key is that the Kanban signal is a precise trigger that happens at precisely the same time as a demand arises for a product or service, such as a warfighters need for replacement of a weapons system or component and serves to trig- ger the timely required response.

Automated Resource Planning

As manufactured products and volumes became more complex, and computer technology ad- vanced, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) and Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP II) tools were designed and implemented to replace manual scheduling processes and support expanded operational organizational information sharing. When applied with well-structured dis- ciplines, MRP is capable of accurately tracking inventory, ordering materials, and capacity plan- ning. MRP is best used as a planning device and decision-making tool for the intermediate and long-term planning of material requirements. The effectiveness of this planning tool is a function of the accuracy of the planning parameters used, the predictability of both supply and demand, the careful configuration of the system to the enterprise needs, and the rigid disciplines with which it must be employed. A variant of this methodology in maintenance, repair and over- haul (MRO) activity considers repair, replace, and use-as-is probability factors. MRP II is the

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CPI Toolbox

expanded application of MRP logic and related data gathering and sharing capabilities across an organization to support planning, execution, and control activities.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the evolutionary tool originating from MRP and MRP II. World class users of enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) take advantage of their planning capabilities to ensure integrated effectiveness of the physical, material, and human resources required within their organizations and with their external supply chains to meet customer requirements. MRP II and ERP are automated technolo